Hey everyone! On today’s pod Trish chats with Allison Brown from Logan, Utah. Allison is a recent graduate of Utah State University and Manhattan-bound. Trish and Allison talk about finding internships, the power of associations, and facing the fear of attending events.

Allison attended Utah State University where she earned her BID (Bachelor of Interior Design). She’ll soon move to the upper east side of New York to work in midtown and grow her practice even more.

Since the young age of 15, she knew she wanted to practice commercial interior design, so involved herself with USGBC, IIDA, NEWH, and ASID early on. Allison was on the USGBC committee in addition to being the student president of IIDA and the IIDA student of the year. Staying involved with clubs and associations has always given her resources and opportunities to network through competitions and events.

Working small internship positions between freshman and sophomore year allowed her to learn just how fast-paced everything is outside of school. After directly emailing her resume and portfolio everywhere she dreamed of working, Allison got her first internship in Houston with Gensler, designing for retail and restaurants. Now she’s headed to The Big Apple to work full time!

Advice

• When you think there is no way you might be the one to win a contest or score a job, it could be the opposite. Internships, jobs, and awards won’t come to you or fall from the sky. Dedicating time towards applications is a learning experience and can lead to something great!
• Showing up to a convention alone and walking up to strangers is nerve-wracking, but knowledge and networking will carry you on. Go out of your comfort zone! Design events bring never ending inspiration and connections, and you’ll never regret going.

To learn more about the business of interior design and life as a designer after school, visit The Chaise Lounge Podcast.

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